One of the joys of coming to my aunt’s house was the night activity of chasing lighting bugs and seeing how many we could capture and keep in a jar. These lighting bugs are also referred to as fireflies and are a winged beetle that has the ability to glow at twilight to attract mates or prey.

We would be entertained for hours running up and down and all around the back yard. When you think about the little lighting bug, it’s an amazing creation that God has made. In the midst of darkness it lights up and can be seen for a great distance.

God wants us to bring goodness in a dark society by being the light. (tweet)

When we would collect a bunch of them in a jar and shake it they all would light up and create a lantern that actually gave light around us.

I think God wants us to resemble this small bug. In Matt. 5:14, it says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden”. We are supposed to shine and reflect God’s light to those around us in the midst of darkness. People that are running around in the darkness of this world should be able to see us putting off light. That light is the goodness of God and His message of redemption to the world.

Just as God spoke and there was light in creation which He called good in Gen. 1:3-5. He wants us to bring goodness in a dark society by being the light. It’s that light that illuminates our path as well as those around. In Ps 119:105 the Psalmist says to God, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Again in verse 130 he says, “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Therefore as we speak His Word to those that might be living in darkness or without understanding of what Jesus has done for us. It will bring truth and light to them.

Better yet, when the community of believers comes together we are as a city on a hill broadcasting light all around. We stand out and are not hidden. This reality was demonstrated as I grew up in the mountains, we would see the lights up on a hill making it easily seen by so many more than one that is hidden.

So why do so many believers want to put their light under a bushel and cover the radiance of God. (Matt. 5:15) When actually we should be raising up the light high so that we get the best illumination for all to see.

It’s when we do allow the light to shine bright before our friends, co-workers and everyone we come in contact with that Jesus said, “they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matt 5:16. Doing works of righteousness is reflecting God’s light and brings glory and attention to God.

God is still being a pillar of fire by night through His people who reflect Him. In the Gospel of John we read in Jn 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” So then, God’s light through us will cut through the deep darkness and bring truth to those who are deceived and in bondage to darkness. Let us do as Paul exhorts in Eph. 5:8 to “Walk as children of light”.